Teal is the ticket to a different kind of Halloween treat

Pumpkins painted teal by Amber Wiese and her daughters Amara, left, and Morgan fill the dining room table Monday, Oct. 30, at their home in St. Joseph. The teal pumpkins are a sign that allergen-free treats or toys are available at surrounding homes for Halloween. (Photo: Dave Schwarz, dschwarz@stcloudtimes.com)Buy Photo

ST. JOSEPH — Amber Wiese knows her daughter Amara is lucky to be alive.

Amara was born 16 weeks premature, weighing only 1 pound, 5 ounces. While in the neonatal intensive care unit, Amara contracted a liver infection, had kidney failure and lost her right kidney.

Now 11 and a fifth-grader at Kennedy Community School, Amara is still living with complications from her first six months of life. Two years ago, doctors diagnosed Amara with chronic kidney disease, which means Wiese needs to vigilantly monitor Amara's diet to avoid high levels of sodium, potassium and protein.

Even "healthy foods" such as oranges can damage Amara's kidneys.

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Amara Ross loads specially painted teal pumpkins into a wagon Monday, Oct. 30, at her home in St. Joseph. (Photo: Dave Schwarz, dschwarz@stcloudtimes.com)

Holidays like Halloween make following Amara's special diet even more difficult. But Wiese is on a mission to make sure Halloween is memorable — and safe — for Amara and other children with allergies or special diets.

But how? Teal pumpkins.

Wiese, along with her three children and friends, painted and distributed pumpkins as part of the Teal Pumpkin Project, a national campaign launched in 2014 to raise awareness of food allergies and promote inclusion of all trick-or-treaters. Participating houses place a teal pumpkin outside, and then hand out non-food treats on Halloween.

Wiese canvassed her neighborhood, sharing information about the project and asking neighbors to participate. On Monday, Wiese and her two daughters, Amara and Morgan, distributed pumpkins and "starter packs" of toys, games and books to about 25 neighbors.

"We're just trying to raise awareness in my neighborhood," Wiese said. "We decided we would really try to launch this in St. Joe and hopefully next year it will grow bigger."

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Amber Wiese looks through items included in allergen-free Halloween treat packs Monday, Oct. 30, at her home in St. Joseph.(Photo: Dave Schwarz, dschwarz@stcloudtimes.com)

Wiese said she hopes to expand the project next year to include a donation drive, a night when people gather to paint pumpkins and a map of participating houses.

Amber Wiese and her daughter Amara distribute teal pumpkins to area homes Monday, Oct. 30, in their neighborhood in St. Joseph. (Photo: Dave Schwarz, dschwarz@stcloudtimes.com)

Initiating the Teal Pumpkin Project in Wiese's neighborhood is more than just about Halloween. It's a good distraction from worrying. Wiese said Amara's kidney disease is progressing, and her future could include a flurry of medication, kidney dialysis and potentially a transplant.

Amara is scheduled for a check-up in December. For now, Wiese is focusing on spreading awareness about the Teal Pumpkin Project and helping her children have a memorable Halloween.

"I'm trying to find my little bit of happiness. If I can paint pumpkins, spread awareness, watch my daughter smile..." she said, trailing off. "Right now, it's about making memories and the quality of life."